Some New Mexicans may qualify for 13 additional weeks of unemployment benefits; Gov. Richardson announced the extension as “the state’s unemployment rate has hovered about 6 percent for the past three months.”

The Las Cruces Sun-News announces a public meeting to be held on Sept. 23 in Dona Ana County to discuss block grants. The County Commission is seeking public input regarding community development needs and suggestions for future projects.

KOB-TV reports on a convicted sex offender’s connection to an Albuquerque church. On the sex offender website, convicted child molester Gregory Monnin appears to “work” in some capacity at Our Lady of Annunciation Church, but church officials claim these ties are untrue.

The Deming Headlight reports on the expansion at Mimbres Memorial Hospital, which began earlier this month. The expansion will focus on emergency and operating rooms. One hospital official exclaims, “Now, we don’t have to hit the highway to see a doctor or visit a hospital.”

Bad news, guys: Patrick Swayze died. The Dirty Dancing star (and captain of this writer’s heart circa 1987) had a 20,000-acre ranch near Las Vegas, N.M., where he spent time this summer. The New Mexican has a piece from the L.A. Times today about Swayze’s connection to the state:

In 2007, when Variety did a special feature on filmmaking in New Mexico, he said, “I fell in love with New Mexico when I was shooting Red Dawn.” He compared New Mexico to Africa: “You step onto the land and feel the ancient energy and feel the ancient spirits and spirituality. … It’s my healing place. I jump on my horse and disappear into the mountains. If I didn’t have this place, I don’t think I would have stayed in the movie industry.” 

He and his wife also went to the ranch in May 2008 to renew their wedding vows.

Man, that got me down. I think we all need some good news right now. Let’s see…well, on Thursday the State Fair is offering a special one-day pass that includes gate admission and all the Midway Carnival Rides one can ride for just $10. Corn dogs, cotton candy, watermelon agua fresca, spinny rides…what could go wrong?

Danielle Bauer contributed to this report.